UTSA dean Rogelio Saenz elected president of social science organization

(May 16, 2014) -- Rogelio Sáenz, dean of the UTSA College of Public Policy and Peter Flawn Professor of Demography, has been elected to serve as president of the Southwestern Social Science Association (SSSA), the oldest interdisciplinary social science organization in the United States, effective immediately. A longtime member and former vice president of the SSSA, Sáenz has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of social science and education.

The SSSA was founded in 1919 to promote, cultivate and correlate the various areas of the social sciences and their applications. The association serves as the umbrella organization for seven academic and professional affiliate associations in the fields of economics, history, international studies, political science, social work, sociology, and women's and gender studies.

"Throughout my term, the Southwestern Social Science Association will examine the possibilities of expansion of the association's reach beyond the Southwest region," said Sáenz. "We hope to also explore new ways to further promote interdisciplinary dialogue and incorporate social science research into the public discourse."

In addition to his primary duties as president, Sáenz will preside over the SSSA annual meeting in 2015, the theme of which will be "Latinos and the Change of a Nation: Implications for the Social Sciences." The annual meeting will be held in Denver, Co. and is expected to draw social scientists from across the country to present and discuss their research.

Named as dean of the College of Public Policy in 2010, Sáenz is the author and editor of numerous publications related to Latinos, demography, race and ethnic relations, immigration and inequality. He is a frequent commentator on social inequality and Latino issues. In 2011, he co-wrote "Latino Issues: A Reference Handbook" with Aurelia Lorena Murga.

Sáenz received his Ph.D. in sociology and Master of Science in Sociology degree from Iowa State University and his Bachelor of Social Work and Sociology degree from Pan American University, now the University of Texas -- Pan American.

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